<h4>Chapter 28: Forming a Clique</h4>


    The captain looked troubled. Rubbing his hands, he took two steps forward to stand behind Pdin and whispered, "But…."


    Before he could finish speaking, Pdin suddenly turned his head. His face that appeared sacred now was sporting a bizarre greedy smile.


    "The ck sorcerer is a devil who has betrayed humanity and their faith. The criminal in question who had lived inside the town should also be some poor and vicious person who can’t ever be forgiven by Enos."


    "Huh?" The captain was taken aback, but before he could react, Pdin lowered his voice andughed darkly.


    "We have reasons to believe that such a criminal who killed his own kind is also a ck sorcerer who can cruelly and ruthlessly ughter innocent people!"


    In this instant, the captain''s view of this immature and stubborn young noble priest was suddenly covered with ayer of blood. The holy light on his head dimmed as well.


    The captain''s expression changed as he fixed his gaze on Pdin and spoke cautiously, "What if it''s not a ck sorcerer who murdered them? What if someone else dies?"


    Who would’ve thought that Pdin would shake his head and sarcastically say, "No ck sorcerer would be so stupid as to kill a civilian instead of killing a priest first. Is he trying to lure the Inquisition? This heretic, in all probability, has already left the town and will nevere back." Once he said that, Pdin saw the captain sunk down.


    With a bright smile, Pdin continued, "Of course, eradicating the ck sorcerer and bringing happiness and stability to the people is our duty. But even so, I am a priest from a foreign country who can not even eat a bite of meat, ah."


    The captain looked up in shock at the smiling Pdin, but then calmed down. With increasing caution, he asked "What do you want?"


    The captain no longer wanted to continue chatting with this hypocritical and greedy priest. He only felt as if he had been badly teased by a junior and it was very ufortable.


    But, as if nothing had happened, Pdin said in a wolfish tone, "I heard that the deceased is the owner of the store. They own not only this clothing store, but also an iron factory, and a pottery factory. Because there are so many iron smelting nts, his business could be considered deserted. However, it still can be considered arge family business."


    The captain''s eyes narrowed. He feltpelled to sh this beast with his sword. But then, he heard Pdin say, "The iron smelter is refining weapons, too ferocious. If I am in charge, I can calm the murderous intent in the people. As for the pottery factory, Captain, you can be in charge of that."


    The captain''s eyes, which had been narrowed earlier, opened instantly as he was stunned. There was greed mixed in with the anger in his eyes. But he still asked cautiously. "I''m just a head soldier hired by the lord. If anyone reports it, I''ll be reced at any time!"


    "Captain! The Count will not care about such an insignificant town. You and I will join forces, gathering the soldiers and merchants beneath us to control the road to the public market and deliver the iron! Not only will the people be safe and happy, but we will also be prosperous and wealthy!”


    The captain still hesitated. Uncertainty stillced his voice. "What if the people disagree to be below us? You are just a priest. If someone elsees to rece you or you''re transferred away, you''ll have to go away. I will be damned!"


    However, Pdin pouted and sneered. "You underestimate me, Captain. You don''t think I''m willing to be a priest for the rest of my life, do you? In less than three to five years, I will join the diocesan bishop as a staff. By then, I will be in a position of great power and no one will dare to touch you!"


    "Phew." The captain exhaled deeply. For the first time, he realized that this kid, who was only half his age, had made him afraid! Forcing down his fear, the captain tentatively asked, "What if I say no?"


    "No?"


    Pdin''s expression darkened instantly. His hand darted forward to choke the captain and press him to the wall. Thetter was taken aback and attempted to break free, only to discover that this scrawny priest was far stronger than him.


    "Heh heh heh, you''d better not have such thoughts, Captain." Pdinughed grimly, leaned in close to the captain’s face, and continued, "You''d better think about your family, captainI''ve heard that you have three beautiful daughters, an elegant and respectable wife, and a beloved youngest son who is only nine years old at the time. He is going to be my godson in a year! You''d better think it over."


    As he spoke, Pdin yfully pped the captain''s face. Thetter had anger burning in his eyes, but deep inside, there was a deep fear. Pdin had urately hit his weakness. He was now in his forties and had a lovely wife, two lovely daughters, and a bright and capable son. He couldn''t bear the thought of losing the warmth of his family after tasting it.


    "Good for you." At that, the captain gritted his teeth.


    Pdin, however, smiled, and said, "So, a deal?"


    Only when he saw the captain nod did he let go of his hand. Thetter immediately touched his painful neck. In the mirror next to them, the captain could see five red and swollen finger marks on his neck. He was shocked again inwardly.


    ‘This kid, I heard that he was a nobleman. Unexpectedly, he’s so powerful!’


    The captain was stunned and fell silent. He didn''t pay attention but Pdin, who was adjusting his gloves, suddenly asked, "This town belongs to the Diocese of Rineke. Captain, you are also a mercenary who has traveled all over the world. Do you know what kind of person the bishop of the Diocese of Rineke is?"


    The captain, who was concerned about his family, responded in a good-natured voice, "He? He''s nothing more than an old pervert! Others are unaware, but I am. He once hired me to apprehend runaway ves, all of whom were female ves purchased from vers! Each one was tortured beyond humanprehension, just like you!"


    The captain''s sarcasm had no effect on Pdin, who instead smiled thoughtfully. In his mind, he thought, ‘Like women? That''s a good thing. Soon, I’ll go to the vers in Edley to see if there are any good ones.’ Pdin nodded slightly after thinking about it.


    He then looked at the captain and said with a smile, "Do not worry, as long as you do not have any extra ideas, we will join forces. This town will be run as what we say. By the time you are old and retired, your son will also inherit arge amount of gold and family business. Isn''t that great?"


    As soon as Pdin mentioned the captain’s son, his expression immediately improved a lot. He had spent a long time contemting how to make his son suffer less in the future and live a better life. For him, it was a pleasure to do this.


    Pdin just smiled. When he was about to open the door to leave, he suddenly turned around and said, "Captain, I still don''t know your name."


    .


    "Kaleqi."


    "Oh, Captain Kaleqi. I hope we get along well."


    When he was about to push open the door, Kaleqi, who was staring at Pdin''s back, suddenly questioned, "As a priest, are you not afraid of being cursed by Enos for such tant sphemy and vition of priestly virtue?"


    What he got in response was a mere strange and profound smile from Pdin.


    Pdin raised his head to look at the endless sky as he walked down the street. He softly murmured in a contemptuous tone, "God? He is just like a child, standing at the edge of the sky watching us ying below. God doesn’t care about morality, righteousness, and evil. Because if they did, they wouldn''t be entitled to the moniker ''Bastards Standing by the Clouds''."


    Pdinughed, suddenly remembering what Northam had said. An unreadable smile adorning his face as he strode towards the church.